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Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Decorating the Vuolos' Home

"Losing the bachelor pad and having the apartment redecorated, I don't mind it at all. I'm just glad I'm getting a wife."-Jeremy Vuolo

What did you think of last night's new episode of Counting On? Over Labor Day weekend, just two months before the Duggar/Vuolo wedding, Joy, Jason, and the Seewalds journey down to Laredo, Texas, to help Jinger and Jeremy set up their apartment. The future Mr. and Mrs. Vuolo step back and allow Jessa to work her decorating magic (video below). Do you like the results?

Did Jeremy look at the apt. last night and say that a "little piece" of him had died? What kind of comment is that? And what a thing to do to the man you're about to marry. Not funny, Jinger and Jessa, not funny.

You should both not take everything so seriously. He said that about having to compromise and have some of his books moved. Not a big deal in decorating compromises. Even if you are not married you learn that by watching HGTV.

Obviously he wants to marry Jinger so he actually wants this conflict to happen. He is really enjoying it, it is part of being social. He is a pastor and married so he is making room for other people. He has to say a part of me just went into the closet and he can go in there anytime he wants to read a book, thank goodness!

I'm going to give a bit of a different perspective on how I see Jessa. I, too, was uncomfortable watching her boss everyone around. She wasn't kind..she was a dictator expecting her demands to be accomplished immediately by her "servants". I believe Jessa is very intelligent. She should have ( and still can if she chooses) gone to a real, accredited college. Due to her upbringing instilling in her from birth her only purpose is to marry and reproduce she must get frustrated sometimes. She should be out in the world and working in management. She has leadership traits that are misplaced, but with the right training and mentoring she would be a very good employee. Not every woman has the temperament or desire to be a full time stay at home wife/mother. I think Jessa is bored and doesn't have a proper outlet for her leadership personality.

I think he said that when she put one of his bookshelves in the closet. The impression I got from the previews and earlier in the show was that she was going to hide all his books, but I think she just wound up putting one shelf in the closet. Not as bad as some of these commenters are making it sound.

The finished room had a huge bookcase. Why are people freaking out? I love books and have many, but if I kept all in my living room, they would overtake the room. I spread them out in different rooms. People really like to find things to pick on.

So many upset over Jessa helping Jinger decorate! Calm down everyone. Let me give a different take on it. I have 4 sisters. 1 in particular is a whiz at decorating. After having moved so often I always called on her to help me decorate my latest living quarters. Over the years my tastes have evolved to where I know what I like and how to display my likes now when it comes to decor. I no longer have to ask my sister to help me decorate. In fact, she now asks me to help her with her decide! Watching the show, I can see Jessa and Jingers relationship is probably similar to what my sister and I share.Another component to Jinger can't be overlooked either. Jinger has NEVER had space to call her own before now. Nor has she ever gained enough independence as far as decision making to use her "critical thinking" skills. She probably lacks the self confidence to trust her decisions because she's never made her own decisions. The decor for her bedroom growing up was a group decision with her sisters and parents. When so many decisions about your life has been made for you already by the time you were born, you can't expect someone to suddenly make even the most mundane decisions with confidence, by yourself, if at all. Jinger is a work in progress, she's evolving. She'll get there! PATIENCE!

I agree with all you said Feb 1 @2:10pm. And I would like to add that Jessa did say if they didn't like it she wouldn't have her feelings hurt if they decided to change it. Also, Jeremy never set up a home with a woman in mind. His experience was in decorating for a single man. I figure if he wants that bookcase out of the closet, he and Jinger will find a more suitable place for it...and he may rearrange the books so that more favored books go to the big shelf in the living room and less favored books will be stored in the closet. He may end up liking the arrangement as time goes by...may have already seen the benefits. He may have even moved his Rembrandt. Although I really did like it over the dark couch.And remember this is a TV program. There are probably things that the director has suggested they say or do to make the show more interesting.

Why did Jessa decorate someone else's apartment? Shouldn't it have been Jinger and Jeremy's joy to do themselves? Why did Ben and Spurge have to tag along? Why did they have to drag Arkansas stuff down to Laredo and pay the extra baggage fees? Wouldn't that have been contradictory to finding bargains? They should have shopped locally down there for things they liked and just brought them to the apartment.I'm sorry, but I don't agree with Jessa's taste. It should be Jinger's taste, not her sister's.

Jinger said that whatever Jessa likes, she likes. So they're sharing one brain when it comes to decorating. And I agree, nothing about that episode made sense. Nothing! What are they doing with this show? Purposely trying to run it into the ground?

Exactly. Not everything we see on the show is spontaneous. Some is scripted, or there is a discussion at the beginning of the shoot of what the topic is about. It is a typical situation but didn't necessarily happen in real life right then. If my life was to be filmed my actions would run out of interest quickly, so I would need some suggestions of what to do...things I have done in the past, but not right that moment. It would be a real event/action but just not right at that moment.

What is Jill talking about? What house did she set up? From what I remember, her sisters, yet again, "surprised" Jill and Derick by decorating the "stoney brook" mansion as a surprise when then returned from their honeymoon. No decorating decisions were made by Jill.

Jill had that first big white house, the one that got sold later for a business. Remember, the younger kids "renovated" it before they moved in? But then she went to the guest house temporarily before jetting back & forth to Central America. And we all saw how that Central America house was set up. Dishes all over the counters, a bookcase with Izzy's toys (that could have fallen on him), and a shower rack that fell and sounded like someone was breaking in. And then Jill came back to the "decorated" guest house, although most of the stuff we saw moved in seems to be suspiciously gone now.

I know they have lived in the apartment as Husband and wife for awhile now. Jinger you and Jermery should have set up the apartment to your liking. It was nice of your family to come and help but it really should have been up to the two of you. Hopefully you will be able to move into a little bigger place and make your own.

it is a 2 bedroom place, it is only the 2 of them. 2 bedrooms should be plenty of space. If they would have put a futon or futon/bunk bed in the 2nd bedroom with a desk would have had more room and had room for bookshelf in there instead of closet.

I had the exact same symptoms as Derrick (thick mucus, sensitive gag reflex) plus some others and after seeing many doctors have discovered it's reflux (GERD). You don't have to have the classic heartburn symptoms to have reflux. Somebody please tell Derrick to look into it! Poor guy.

You act like everything was nailed in place. They were present if they did not like they were there to say I really dont like that, or it is a jumping off point, when they leave move things to where you want them to be, it does not have to be a big deal, and sometimes you change your mind of where something should be after you have lived with it for awhile, and realize that is not a good place for that after all !

The one who would have done all of this diplomatically and with kindness would have been Jana. My reaction was, "poor, Jeremy," when he said, "a part of me just died right now." when he saw one of his bookshelves in the closet. Really, it should have been for Jeremy and Jinger to rearrange/redecorate their place, not Jessa.

Poor Jeremy foot. Don't you people know that's the show telling him to say thay. Jeremy is a strong willed man if he didn't want the books in the closet he would have NO.They only put 1 book case in the closet and the others were left out in other rooms. But the show just barely showed the clip.

I think people who don't have a warm, caring relationship with their own families can't understand the Duggars. They love and trust each other so much that having sibs come in and decorate for you is a blessing to be seen as a gift. They look more at the heart than at the stuff.

Anonymous @8:47, it has nothing to do with not having a caring relationship. It is rather presumptive to assume that is why people are objecting.

I am very close to my family and I would NEVER dream of decorating their homes for them. I would help but it would be what they wanted. Using phrases like "where do you want this put" or "how can I help" is what loving, supportive family members say.

It is nearly reassuring to see/hear how Jessa handled herself during the redecorating. I sometimes look at Michelle and think that she has it all figured out as a wife and mom. Then, I realize that she has had many years of practice, and I am sure she has learned from mistakes along the way. I am a young wife and mom like Jessa. Although, I would not say that we have similar personalities, I have to admit that I have said and done things that would be considered disrespectful and I unthoughtful towards my husband. We make mistakes. We learn. We see how our words and body language and responses affect other people, and we grow. Jessa is young. Even though she was raised a certain way, that doesn't mean she will have it all figured out right away.

I would say I have always had a little bit of a hard time watching Jessa from the beginning of the show. She has always portrayed an attitude to me. But now I'm beginning to relate to her a little. We'll get there, Jessa. ;)

Good points Anon @ 2:45 and 1:36. I've been married over 23 years and I still have work to do. I hope our church ladies group will do a Bible study for wives on respecting their husbands and even the husbands loving and respecting their wives would be good.The bless you both!

There is a verse in the Bible saying that a wise man conceals his wisdom while a fool parades everything. So maybe a part of Jeremy needed to die. Now he is more Biblically inline after a little surgery by doctor Jessa.

Why did they need a new dining table? Yes the new one is more modern, but it looked like he had a perfectly good one. I think the family use to live by the 'buy used, save the difference' motto before they had the show and actually had to support 16 kids (since the others were born on the show). Now that they are making more money they no longer have to pinch every penny. It's ok to buy new things. Just maybe address that since the fans all wonder.

Jessa is amazing! She had a handle on a big project! Since many hands were necessary to logistically do all that it required a super effective leader like Jessa!The part where she had a bunch of stuff at home and brought along everything she needed was over the top, wow!

This episode was horrible. I will totally be writing to TLC about it. I cannot believe the gall of Jessa! It's one thing for her to tell Ben what to do, but she was completely out of bounds telling Jeremy and Jinger what should happen at HIS original apartment. It was really sad to see Jeremy stand there and take it for the sake of their failing show and TLC's wishes. I think Jessa should apologize to Jeremy and help him put back his things. She could have helped redecorate - not tell him how to live in his apartment. Shame Jessa!

I'm not one who post negative comments but I'm not sure if it was entirely appropriate for the sisters to have so much say so over Pastor Jeremy's apartment. I think it's more special if the couple decides how to decorate their apartment. It did look nice though Pastor Jeremy did look somewhat concerned he was being pushed into something he didn't want. I don't know if this show is scripted because we don't have cable to actually watch it. If it is,his face was definitely unscripted. At any rate I wish I could see the show.

Wow, lots of strong opinions on here! I think Jessa did wonderfully decorating the apartment. They know her personality. She got the job done efficiently, and they can change things they don't like. I think some of the comments on here are very judgemental.

Ok people I'm pretty sure Jeremy was exaggerating and they obviously trusted jessa with the decorating and it looked great. Oh and I suppose the ones making fun of Jill speak perfect English all the time. They are being themselves and I would like to see a family who is as kind to one another and uplifting. Ask yourselves don't you want to be more like that instead of someone who likes to nit pic and put people down.

I understand the frustrations completely of not having a say in decorating your own home. Right after my husband and I got married, my in-laws "surprised" us with furniture they picked out for the dining room and living room. Aside from the fact that I do not like surprises at all, nothing they picked out was my taste, it was poorly constructed, and the material on the couches caused me to have a severe rash due to an allergic reaction to it. So it is important that decorating choices be made by those who have to live with it, while others help out.

I can relate. My mother bought a mirror for my guest room. Actually, she had a glass place make it for her. For years, I resented having to hang it in my house. (It then got broken in a move, darn it...) That mirror was very cold and modern, and way too big. The mirror I loved the best was an ornate oak-framed Victorian one that belonged to my great-grandmother. My mother should have known my tastes - she gave me that Victorian mirror to hang in my bedroom when I was 12, and she knew how much I loved it! So I don't know what possessed her to bring a giant slab of mirrored glass with no personality to it at all. I was shocked when I saw it, but what could I say? "Thanks..." And then watch as she proceeded to hang it.

I may be in the minority here, but I really dislike decorating, figuring out how to arrange furniture, and setting up a new house. If I could get my sister to do it for me, I'd be willing to defer to her style and ideas, just so I didn't have to deal with it.Maybe Jinger asked Jessa to do this for her. I don't know what their arrangement was, but it may be that Jinger and Jeremy wanted this. Lots of people pay professionals to decorate and stage their homes, how is this different than that?I'm no Duggar apologist, a lot of things they do are of concern to me, but this I actually understand.

I'm sorry that Derick has been suffering with this vomiting condition for so long. How could he leave the country with an undiagnosed condition? Not a wise move there. I'm sorry, but I don't think much of that physician they saw. This man had license issues with the medical board in Arkansas. He also seemed clueless and didn't refer him to anyone. A good primary care physician doesn't do that. Derick's vomiting mimics that of bulimia although I don't think he's bulimic, the vomiting will produce the same negative results; loss of weight and non absorbtion of nutrition from the food he eats leading to other problems. Also, his dental health suffers from the acid in the liquid he's expelling. This man really needs to get to the root of his situation and don't waste any time. How much MORE weight can this man lose before other complication set in as a result? Stress, also can do a number on one's digestion. Derick's life has been filled with stress from getting in to college, losing his father and the roller coaster life since he met Jill...too many changes too fast for him.I am also surprised at Jill. She couldn't describe Derick's vomiting with any intelligence. Doesn't she know the word mucus or the term gastric juice? That is what he's spitting up. These people really need to wake up and see the reality of things and TAKE CARE of things. Why is Izzy seeing this doctor? He should be seen by a pediatrician...not this seemingly clueless doctor.

I don't. The younger kids are growing up without our eyes on them and living a more normal life unlike what the older kids when though. They deserve some privacy.TLC has rules about using them as a platform for personal views and those were broken by the parents. JB may have the best interest at heart for his family but his approach creates a different light on the kids that is not natural. They had their years in the spot light and its over.

If I were Jeremy, I would put things back where I wanted them. That was terrible of Jessa to put a bookcase in the closet. Maybe her family does not have books around to be seen but other people do. those were his paintings so she should not have had anything to do with them. I just kept thinking through the show how unfair it was for her to put her ideas into it and not think about what Jeremy wanted. Not fair!

I enjoyed the episode. It was one of the better ones in a while in my opinion. Not a bunch of old footage and didn't seem as staged as a lot of episode. I was about to quit on this show as I feel it's gotten too staged and doesn't show their real lives, but this episode had a little bit of the old appeal for me. As for all the "poor Jeremy" comments... he's a grown man. I think he can handle himself.

I enjoyed the show. The family know and understand one another I am sure Jinger was fine with the decorating. Once Jeremy and Jinger moved in they will adapt the decorating to their preference. My goodness it is not permanent! Jessa even stated that! The siblings love and respect for one another is refreshing in the world we live in today. Jill and Derick are a sweet couple. They will figure out what is going on with Derick. I think their intent of sharing the symptoms was good but probably not a good idea considering the hostility of the public. This is a beautiful family, the Duggar's, and I hope we continue to see them on TV. We need good family programming like this and the negative comments do not reflect the majority of viewers. Thank you Duggar family for sharing your beautiful family and we will keep you in our prayers!

I want to see an update on how Jessa moved into that apartment with her entire wardrobe, when all that Jeremy showed us was one empty rod in the closet for her clothes. And then a bookcase was put in there, too. Did the books go and the shoes took over? I think we need an updated tour of the apartment.

In my opinion, they could have saved money and had more space if they skipped the queen bed for the 2nd bedroom. As newlyweds, they don't need overnight guests in their home. I am sure Laredo has hotels. Why spend extra money for occasional visitors who would be more comfortable in a hotel anyway? I'm betting there is only one bathroom and it's probably small. Can you imagine sharing that with guests?

When my adult kids got married, we put a one year ban on overnight family visits to give them a chance to get used to being married and living together. We visited and everyone was glad we had hotel rooms so we all had room to breathe.

I was sort of sad when i watched this episode. Jessa could very well be President of the U.S. one day (obvious leadership qualities), but instead she is going to raise children and keep a home. Isn't that how she spent most of her childhood as well?

There's something about being the older sister that the younger sister thinks it's basically the law when it's the older sisters opinion. Especially if they are best friends and in my case it's that way for me and my younger sister by a yr and 9 mos. She values my opinion and I value giving her my most heartfelt opinion and advice. Which doesn't happen always but only when needed ☺

Debating decorating is one thing, but what I really want to know is when will the Duggars denounce the network that has programming covering everything they (the Duggars) stand against? When will they walk away from that, and refuse to be associated with it or take any more of the network's "ill-gotten" gains? Only then could I respect the Duggars, or believe that anything they say is true. Enough with the duplicity. It certainly isn't becoming for such staunch Christians.

I do so agree with your sentiment . I wonder if the married girls watch the show when it is on TV or do they just get a video of their program . I wonder if they know what kind of trashy shows are on TLC ❗️❗️ so bad we don't even want to see the commercials ... Really not for family viewing.....if you don't want kiddos to see the commercials ❗️I'm just about finished with this show...🙄

After all the comments, I expected Jessa to be all bossy in the episode. I was surprised when I watched the show. Jessa spent the time and money to pick out nice items for the apartment. It looked really nice when they were finished. Jessa was just getting the job done and trying to do it in a hurry. I really think Jeremy was just saying things in jest. Most of his books were still out where he could easily access them.

I am a newlywed myself, having only been married for 8 months now. Watching this episode reminded me so much of the adjustments my husband and I had to make and are still making. I moved 1900 miles away to live with him and he already had a home. So, coming in and making my things fit with his and making the place a little less like a bachelor pad and more like a home for both of us has taken time and a lot of compromise on both sides. Jinger and Jeremy will learn this as well. Honestly, both of them being so far from their families is one of the best things for them right now, so they learn to rely on God first of course but also to rely on each other and work things out themselves rather than so easily running to parents or other family. I wish them all the best and know that God is going to do great things through them as a couple!

We have it on authority that Jeremy's shoes stink, remember? Jim Bob personally entered Jeremy's closet to ascertain that fact to share with us. So I don't believe those books stayed in proximity of the shoes, nor do I believe that Jinger moved her clothes into that closet either. I hope Jessa packed a suitcase full of Odor Eaters and they edited out the part where she stuffed them in all of Jeremy's shoes when he wasn't looking. Because sisters have to look out for sisters.

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Welcome to the premiere source for factual, encouraging updates on Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar and their 19 kids (TLC's 19 Kids and Counting & Counting On). Our site is not maintained by the Duggars, but we (Lily and Ellie) are personal friends of the family.